Selling players correctly is trickier than it looks

Photo: Vagelis Georgariou biglens.co.uk

In the immediate aftermath of defeat in Turin our manager was magnanimous towards his opponents, the television broadcaster and his players. Sky TV were thanked for their treatment of Celtic (note to others), Juventus were encouraged to win the Champions League, and Neil acknowledged some players may want to further their careers beyond Scotland.

Let’s be clear, most of the squad are happy at Celtic.  Georgios Samaras could go anywhere in Europe but this Celtic team is his project, as much as it is yours or mine.  Many of the others, including Matthews, Wilson, Lustig, Forster, Mulgrew, Commons, Ledley, Forrest and Izaguirre are settled at Celtic with plenty still to achieve.

Hooper and Wanyama have declined contract offers, so will be most likely to leave in the summer, but in the business Celtic are in right now, if they go, who they go to, is important.    If we lose players to tier-one clubs it will make attracting others a whole lot easier.  If you are a stepping stone to Barcelona, as with Larsson, you are a far more attractive employer than if you lose a striker to Norwich City (I’m friendly with a former Nigerian international who went on trial to Hamilton Accies the week after, and on the strength of, Brian Easton leaving there for the English Premier League).

Selling right makes it easier to buy who you want.  Got to get the right price, keep them for the Champions League qualifiers, and make sure you sell to the right club.

See you at 7.30pm tonight at the Supporters’ Association Club on London Road for the Twists & Turns Celtic Supporters Club charity night.  There will be Question and Answer session with me, John Fallon, Dixie Deans, Archie MacPherson, compared by Phil Agnew.  Afterwards you can enjoy music from Foggy Dew.

Tickets are £10 and you can get them from Phil by calling 07811 178764.  Profits are going to the Tommy Burns charity.
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